There is no where quite like London at Christmas – the city transforms into a Winter Wonderland of lights, markets, ice skating rinks, beautifully decorated shops and festive displays. For the last few years I’ve made it my goal to check out the very best experiences London has to offer over the festive period and since having Oscar and Noah (aged 7 and 3) I’ve tried my fair share of activities!
I’m now publishing my ultimate guide to Christmas in London with kids in 2026, I hope it’s useful to you!
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
Christmas Lights
My absolute favourite thing to do at Christmas time is to check out the Christmas decorations around the streets of London adorning the facades of shops, restaurants and hotels. This is a great thing to do and it’s absolutely free!
In Mayfair I recommend paying a trip to Bond Street where top designer stores have the best decorations check out Cartier, Dior, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
On Regent Street you can see the famous angels which is a canopy of over 300,000 lights over the famous shopping street. On nearby Piccadilly, Fortnum and Mason is the star of the show and for the last few years has had a light up advent calendar as the star. Not too far away from Piccadilly you’ll get to Knightsbridge and see Harrods absolutely aglow with festive cheer!
You can see the sights for yourself, take a walking tour or a bus tour.
Covent Garden is a great place to check out decorations and there’s a massive Christmas tree plus the famous bells and sleigh. This year the Ever After Garden is in Chelsea, it’s stunning and all for charity!
One of the best facade is always famous private member’s club, Annabel’s in Berkeley Square so don’t forget to pay a visit!
Experiences
Winter Wonderland – Love it or hate it… I can go either way myself but Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is one of London’s signature experiences here you’ll find Christmas markets, thrilling rides, Father Christmas’s Grotto, ice skating and shows. You can get free entry depending on the time that you visit. There are new rides, shows and packages this year.
Date: 19th Nov – 3rd Jan
Paddington Bear – We loved the Paddington Bear Experience and for Christmas the immersive experience on London’s South Bank will have a festive makeover with a Christmas Tree and festive treats. With stunning decorations including a 5.5 metre centrepiece Christmas tree and a gorgeously lit Windsor Gardens, the whole family can enjoy Paddington’s World at Christmas. There may even be a chance of snow…!
Date: 10th Nov – 4th Jan
Age: All ages (2 + need a ticket)
Price: From £24
Gingerbread City – An entire city built from Gingerbread! Make your own gingerbread houses too. Info coming soon.
The Shard – Seasonal activities. Info coming soon.
London Eye – Santa in the Sky. There are festive crafts, games, and sweet treats before stepping aboard a decorated London Eye pod to meet Santa himself.
Date: 21st November – 24th December
Age: All ages
Price: From £39
Scrooge Cirque Extravaganza – a cirque style twist on the classic tale. A mix of musical theatre with cirque wow factor and lots of laughs suitable for the whole family.
Date: 23rd to 28th December at Excel Centre
Age: All ages
Price: From £29.99
Cirque Alice is a joyous acrobatic adventure filled with breathtaking twists, astonishing, gravity-defying feats and unforgettable performances based on Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland. At the Southbank Centre.
Date: 12th December – 23rd January
Age: 5 +
Price: From £35
Magical Train Rides
The Polar Express – a magical theatrical train ride based on the film. The train leaves from Euston Station. This is one of London’s Christmas hot tickets.
Date: 5th December – 23rd Dec
Age: All ages
Price From £69 under 2s are £5
Steam Dreams Santa – Steam Express – 90-minute steam-hauled journey to meet Santa, enjoy festive entertainment for all the family. Every child receives a gift. Leaves from Victoria Station.
Date: 12th and 19th December with different time slots.
Age All ages
Price From £45
Light Trails
Kew Gardens – the Christmas light trail is always a sell out – I’ve still never actually made it myself. There are large scale illuminations, light tunnels and a visit from Father Christmas. Tickets are available now.
Date: 13th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: All ages
Price: From 25.50
Kenwood – Neverland at Kenwood. Follow Tinkerbell through a reimagined London for this immersive light trail. We loved this last year. Details for 2026 to come
Chelsea Light Trail – 1.5km light trail filled with large-scale art, interactive installations and soundscapes. The only light trail in central London.
Date: 25th Nov – 28th December
Age: All ages
Price: Children £17.75, Adults £26.50
Santa’s Winter Garden at Fulham Palace – Sounds great for kids with a snowy garden, candy cane walk, snow maze and vintage sleds. Finally there’s a meet and greet with Santa at the North Pole Lodge.
Bus Tours
A great way to enjoy the lights of London is with a bus tour paired with a afternoon tea. This year there are so many great themes available including Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Paddington, Grinchmas and The Snowman. If you want to do the tour minus the tea, there’s also lots of options for Christmas lights tours on London buses which is a convenient way to enjoy the lights without crowds. Hamley’s are also running a Christmas Bus tour which will include some favourite children’s characters.
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Ice Rinks
Glide at Battersea Power Station by Boots is my favourite ice rink and it’s become a tradition for us to go there on Christmas Eve. The backdrop of the Power Station and the view of the Thames is spectacular!
Date: 6th Nov – 3rd January
Age: 3 +
Price: Children £11.93, Adults £19.38
Skate at Somerset House is another of London’s iconic ice rinks. Sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Holidays there are exclusive Skate sessions and a lounge-inspired Clubhouse with rink-side views.
Date: 11th Nov – 10th January
Age: From age 3
Price: TBC
There are usually more ice rinks announced around London so check back here for details.
Shopping
You can’t go wrong with the big department stores. Harrods of course is THE department store to go to at Christmas and as well as stunning external decorations, there’s an amazing Christmas shop and toy department. The year Selfridge’s always go all out – check back here to find out this year’s theme.
Fortnum and Mason and Liberty will all be beautifully decorated with beautiful Christmas shops too. Hamley’s is London’s biggest and best toy shop but we also love the LEGO store in Leicester – both get very crowded though!
Don’t forget about London’s famous arcades, The Burlington Arcade is historic and traditional (plus a great place to get a hot chocolate) and Royal Arcade and Piccadilly Arcade are also gorgeous with a luxurious festive atmosphere.
Many people love London’s Christmas Markets too and as well as Winter Wonderland you can find markets at London’s South Bank, Leicester Square and Old Spitalfields. Personally I like the small market at Trafalgar Square which also gives you the chance to see the famous Christmas Tree. Leadenhall is a historic market building and is also worth checking out. We also love Battersea Power Station for a quieter shopping experience and there is always Christmas activity there including markets, an ice rink, rides and in store activities.
Hotels
Something I love doing is checking out the facades of some of London’s most beautiful hotels but also nipping in for a glass of champagne or a festive themed afternoon tea and to admire the Christmas tree.
The Dorchester is somewhere very special with the most gorgeous towering Christmas tree. It’s very special to me as we had Christmas lunch there last year at the Grill Room but it is offered at multiple locations in the hotel.
Claridges – To many is the GOAT and every year the Christmas tree inside is made over by a famous designer. The festive menus and afternoon tea will be something very special.
The Langham Hotel – Actually has a partnership with Hamley’s London’s biggest and best toy store. They are hosting a Hamley’s grotto and a special Hamley’s inspired afternoon tea.
The Ritz – I always pay a visit as the decorations are gorgeous, but be aware they are strict on who that let in. Christmas meals and festive stays in absolute luxury are the order of the day at one of London’s most famous hotels.
The Savoy – Another hotel I often check out, and once I spent Christmas Day there. It’s a very special place and has a great location for shopping and the theatre.
The Goring, The Connaught, The Mandarin Oriental Knightsbridge, The Lanesborough, The Peninsula and The Four Seasons Park Lane are also all places that can be counted on for festive cheer.
Restaurants
There are lots of restaurants in London offering a large serving of Christmas cheer with fantastic decorations. Many of which are child-friendly.
The Ivy – The Ivy group always goes above and beyond and there will be festive menus and breakfast with Elves at selected locations. Check back for details.
Sister restaurant group, Harry’s will also have extra special dishes on the menu.
The Brasserie of Light – Will be serving a festive menu which diners can enjoy while gazing at the glittering Pegasus statue. The piece de resistance is the ice palace dessert which gives Disney princess vibes.
Daphne’s – This luxurious restaurant is always decked out beautifully for Christmas.
Duck & Waffle – One of London’s tallest restaurants is always beautifully decorated.
34 Mayfair – One of my favourite London restaurants is also beautiful at Christmas.
Sketch – Sketch always has some of the best decorations in town.
Dalloway Terrace – This spot is always full of festive cheer and will have a festive children’s afternoon tea.
Brasserie of Light – The Selfridge’s restaurant becomes an Ice Palace for the festive season with a seasonal menu and Ice Palace dessert.
Sushi Samba – The Covent Garden restaurant and Heron Tower branch will be fully decked and serving festive menus.
Christmas Grottos
For me there’s nothing that sets the tone for Christmas quite like a visit to Santa’s grotto and these taking meeting the big man to a whole new level. With enchanted forests, snowy trails, storytelling and the chance to post your own letters to Father Christmas. These are the best Santa’s grottos in London.
Anya’s Grotto: magical and fashionable expedition with Father Christmas. Details to come.
Hamley’s: The Christmas Grotto at London’s most famous toy shop. Details to come.
John Lewis and The LEGO® Group present Santa’s Enchanted Grotto. Details to come.
Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas storytelling in London’s oldest botanic garden. There is also a beautiful Christmas Fair Details to come.
Meet Santa a London Zoo. Details to come.
Winter Wonderland: Make a pitstop at Santa’s grotto. This one is quite underwhelming but it is free!
Date: 19th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: All ages
Price: Free – not bookable walk in only.
Natural History Museum – Join Santa as he shares a magical Christmas story filled with surprises – both children and parents will love. After the story, capture the moment with a festive photo and take home a special T. rex tree decoration. Visit the famous animatronic T. rex afterwards, who is sporting its very own dino-sized version of our Christmas jumper.
Date: Tuesday 1 – Tuesday 22 December
Age: All ages
Price: £20 members £18
London Museum, Docklands – Victorian Santa’s Grotto. The Sailortown gallery decorated to meet Santa in his Dickensian-style grotto. Lots of other activities including performances and sensory sessions for babies.
Date: 20th Nov – 23rd Dec
Age: All Ages
Price: From £15
London Transport Museum – Climb aboard an interactive sleigh, with buttons and bells and meet Santa.
Details to come.
Shrek the Halls at the Shrek Experience Gingy Christmas Sweet & Greet and Shrek Santa at the Shrek Experience on the South Bank. Details to come.
Santa’s Grotto at The Queen’s House – Step into a world of snow and Christmas wonder at the Queen’s House this festive season. Take a trip into a former royal residence and travel into the icy land of the Snow Queen, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s enchanting fairy tale.
Date: 14th November – 24th December
Age: All ages
Price: From £27
Santa’s Grotto at FUJIFILM House of Photography in Covent Garden – An immersive experience with crafting, games and photo booths.
Date: 14th November – 24th December
Age: All ages
Price: £37 per child
Chiswick House and Garden – Twelve Days of Christmas. Beautifully dressed rooms with a festive theme and mouse trail for kids plus Santa’s Grotto. Details to come.
Fortnum and Mason – Storytelling with Father Christmas – This is an extremely popular ticket, taking place at London’s beautifully traditional department store.
Date: 27th November – 24th December
Age: 3 – 11
Price: £49.46 per child
Golden Hinde – Christmas trail and Grotto. Details to come.
Also check out Alexandra Palace, Eltham Palace, Kenwood, Fulham Palace, Hobbledown Heath
Additional Activites at London Museums
The Postal Museum – Festive tunnel walks and Christmas display cases. Details to come.
Museum of the Home – Christmas installation and winter market, wreath making. Details to come
Discover Children’s Story Centre – Details to come.
RAF Musuem – Christmas Elf Cadet Training. Details to come
Shows
Here’s the very best in Christmas shows, music and carols for kids in London for 2026.
My Christmas Orchestral adventure at the Royal Albert Hall: Family-friendly classical Christmas Music. Help Father Christmas find his map. Details to come.
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith Join Father Christmas as he prepares his deliveries, feeds his reindeer and takes flight into the night.
Date: 18th Nov – 31st Dec
Age: Under 6
Price: From £15
Cinderella at The Lyric Hammersmith – Enchanting Festive treat.
Date: 14th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: 6 +
Price: From £10
Bach to Baby – Classic concerts for baby with festive themes
Date: Various
Age: All ages
Price: £15
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre : Christmas Eve magic brings a snowman to life, a young boy and his new friend embark on an unforgettable adventure through the starlit sky, meeting Father Christmas, friendly reindeer and more along the way in this classic tale. This year there is brand-new staging that will take you soaring with songs like Walking In the Air.
Date: 21st Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: All ages (under 2s are free)
Price: From £18
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show – Theatre Royal Haymarket with an appearance from Baby Evie. With a new arrival on the way the whole family are busy getting ready. With building and decorating work to be done!
Date: 4th Dec – 3rd Jan
Age: All ages
Price: From £10
Christmas Lights – the power of friendship can light up the dark
Date: 11th Nov – 22nd Nov
Age: 1 -4 years
Peter Pan – take a journey to Neverland
Date: 14th Nov – 24th Jan
Age: 5 – 12 years
Antartica – the Adventure Theatre is transformed into a wintry wonderland for younger audiences
Date: 27th Nov – 17th Jan
Age: 3 – 7 years
The Big Bash – A magical party of the year followed by a festive show.
Date: 6th Dec
Age: All ages
Pincocchio at The Globe Theatre – an unmissable new musical version.
Date: 28th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: 5+
Price: From £5 for standing tickets
Stickman at Bloomsbury Theatre – a brilliantly fun adaptation of the Julia Donaldson book. How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree in time for Christmas?
Date: 3rd Dec – 3rd Jan
Age: all ages (under 2s are free)
Price: From £10
Cinderella Pantomime at the London Palladium – The West End’s biggest Christmas theatre show. Comedy legends Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reunite on the West End stage for the first time in 17 years as the wickedly hilarious Ugly Sisters, with panto sensation Julian Clary, wand in hand, as the glittering Fairy Godfather.
Date: 5th Dec – 10th Jan
Age: 4+ (under 4’s will not be admitted). Parental discretion – lots of innuendo!
Price: prices vary
Unicorn Theatre
Santa’s First Christmas – Santa spends every Christmas Eve spreading joy around the world. He’s so busy that he never gets the chance to celebrate himself his elves want to change that.
Date:14th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: 4 +
Price: Children £10
Huddle – In the frozen landscape of Antarctica, Mr Penguin receives a special delivery… his very own egg.
Date:27th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: 1 – 4
Price: Children £16.50
Disney on Ice – Discover the Magic
Date: There are shows throughout the UK from November to January. In London 24th December – 3rd Jan.
Age: All ages. Under 2 free.
Price: From £44
Greenwich Theatre: Jack and the Beanstalk – A giant pantomime adventure.
Date: 27th Nov – 10th Jan
Age: All Ages
Price: Child £23.75 Adult £46
The Nutcracker at The London Coliseum– Join Clara on a fantastical adventure at the English National Ballet’s Nutcracker with 100 dancers and musicians.
Date: 17th December – 10th Jan
Age: 5 + but there is a family day on 9th of Jan for under 5s.
Price: From £27.25
Candlelight Christmas Classics – Live, multi-sensory musical experience.
Date: 12th December and 18th December
Age: All ages
Price: From £20
Little Angel Theatre
The Snowflake – Based on the timeless Christmas story by Benji Davies
Date: 21st November – 23rd Jan
Age: 5 +
Price: Adult £18, child £16
Scruff’s Christmas Adventure – It’s Christmas Eve, and Scruff the puppy can’t sleep.
Date: 28th November – 3rd Jan
Age: 3 – 6 years
Price: Adult £18, child £16
Dear Santa at Battersea Arts Centre – From the author of the well-loved children’s book Dear Zoo, Rod Campbell, comes Dear Santa and it’s LIVE!
Date: 28th Nov – 24th Dec
Age: This show is an ideal introduction to theatre for those aged two and over.
Price: Prices vary
Family Christmas Carols with Little London Music School – Suitable for babies, toddlers, school aged children and their families. An afternoon of Christmas Carols and Songs.
Age: All Ages.
Price: From £10
Room on the Broom – Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. At the Lyric Theatre
Date: 27th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: 3 +
Price: From £10
The Smartest Giant in Town – George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. But after a trip to a fancy clothes shop, he has a spectacular new look: smart trousers, a smart shirt, a stripy tie, and shiny shoes. St Martin’s Theatre
Date: 9th Dec – 3rd Jan
Age: 2 – 8
Price: From £13
Less Than Two Hours From London
Hogwarts in the Snow at the Harry Potter Studios. The Great Hall will be transformed into scenes from the Yule Ball
Date: 14th Nov- 17th Jan
Age: Under 4s free
Price From £51.19
Lapland UK – Probably the hottest ticket in the UK now in Ascot and Manchester. General tickets are sold out but there are still tickets available for the Golden Experience, which is the most premium experience.
Date: 7th Nov – 24th Dec
Age: All ages (groups must include at least one child)
Price: From £299 per person under 1s go free.
Blenheim Palace – Magical memories are around every corner with Christmas at Blenheim Palace. Illuminated Trail, glide on the iconic Great Court at The Great Skate, Christmas Market.
Date: 13th Nov- 3rd Jan
Age: All ages
Price: Prices vary
Legoland – There’s so much fun to be had at Legoland Windsor including a giant Duplo Christmas tree, meeting Father Christmas and lots of other activities. Festive stays are available.
Date: 21st Nov- 2nd Jan
Age: All ages
Price: £34
Chessington World of Adventures – Winter’s Tail. A festive and thrilling day out at this theme park and zoo. Including Santa’s grotto, panto, light trails and carolling. Short breaks available
Date: 21st Nov- 24th Dec
Age: All ages
Price: £32
Willow Farm – Grotto, festive funfair rides, festive shows, teddy bear work shop, meet reindeer and more.
Date: Nov – Dec
Age: All ages
Price: Prices vary
Port Lympne – Port Lympne is an incredible hotel and reserve in Kent known for its unique rooms, immersive animal experiences and conservation programme. Port Lympne Illuminated is brand new this year. It’s the most incredible festive light trail across the 600-acre wildlife reserve. The woodland paths have been transformed into an enchanted forest with animal-inspired light installations, holograms, glowing tunnels, interactive displays and a Santa’s grotto.
NEW for 2026: Elfwood – The festive elves have spread their winter magic around Pinewood and transformed it into a winter wonderland full of family friendly winter fun!
The hotel is offering Nightlights packages to combine the light trail with an overnight stay in one of the unique lodges – or do as we did and stay in a treehouse!
Date: 27th November – 22nd Jan
Age: All ages
Price: From £19 per adult, £10 per child.
Hampton Court – This Christmas, you are invited into an enchanted world. Step inside The Winter Palace in the glowing halls of Hampton Court Palace meet friendly puppets and gentle mythical creatures as the story is woven through live performance and music.
Date: 28th November until 3rd Jan
Age: All ages
Price: Included with Palace Entry.
Hampton Court will also be featuring an ice rink inspired by traditional royal decoration.
Date: 20th November until 3rd Jan
Age: Parental guidance
Price: Additional ticket, not included in Palace entry.
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